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The final two group stage fixtures are on the horizon. Italy will face Belgium tomorrow (kickoff at 8:45 PM) at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. Following that, Spalletti’s side will host a decisive clash against Didier Deschamps’ France at San Siro on Sunday, November 17, also at 8:45 PM.
Spalletti has called up 23 players for these final matches. Notably, this includes the first senior national team call-ups for Fiorentina’s 2005-born defender Pietro Comuzzo, Juventus defender Nicolò Savona (aged 21), and Lazio midfielder Nicolò Rovella. Also returning are Daniel Maldini (Monza) and Niccolò Pisilli (Roma), who debuted in the Azzurri jersey last October.
The squad also features two Premier League players: 2001-born defender Caleb Okoli, formerly of Atalanta and now with Leicester City, and Destiny Udogie of Tottenham. A key return is that of Nicolò Barella, the Inter midfielder who has been absent since the European Championship in Germany.
The national team convened on Sunday evening, November 10, in Coverciano. After the match against Belgium, Italy will head directly to Milan to prepare for the clash against France, training at the Angelo Moratti Sports Center in Appiano Gentile.
Italy is expected to line up in their customary 3-5-1-1 formation against Belgium, with Donnarumma in goal. The defensive trio will consist of Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, and Bastoni. On the flanks, Cambiaso and Dimarco will operate, with Tonali in the midfield pivot role. Inter’s Barella and Frattesi will flank the Newcastle player. Up front, Raspadori will support Retegui as the lone striker.
After four matches (three wins—one against France and two against Israel—and one draw with Belgium), Spalletti’s Italy leads Group 2 of League A with 10 points, one point ahead of France. Belgium is third with 4 points, while Israel remains scoreless at the bottom of the table.
The Azzurri need just a single point from their remaining two games to secure qualification for the Nations League quarterfinals. This result will also ensure Italy’s automatic placement in the top tier for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
